Ohio County Jury Finds Richard Zimmerman Guilty of Sexual Abuse
WHEELING — After a lengthy deliberation, an Ohio County jury has found Richard William Zimmerman guilty of first degree sexual abuse.
Jurors found him innocent on a charge of sexual assault.
The jury had deliberated Thursday afternoon until 9 p.m. and resumed this morning. The verdict came in shortly after noon today.
Jurors found that Zimmerman, 37, awoke a teenage girl who was having a sleepover with his daughter and sexually assaulted her in February 2015.
After the prosecution rested its case, Zimmerman opted not to take the stand.
During closing arguments, two large topics of discussion were reasonable doubt and consent. While the defense maintained that the victim had consented to the act, Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Turak said in get closing argument, “She didn’t consent to a darn thing.”
Judge James Mazzone set sentencing for Sept. 19.
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